Summary

The Echocardiography Technician has the intimate knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology related to cardiovascular function. They work in the Cardiology section of Medical Service at the Huntsville VA Clinic operating medical diagnostic equipment.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. GS-06: To meet the requirements for the GS-6 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels. 2. Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle. 3. Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high quality cardiac images are obtained. 4. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized - routine procedures. 5. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure. GS-07: To meet the requirements for the GS-7 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess at least 1 year of specialized experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler. 2. Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems - i.e. - valvular dysfunction - myocardial wall kinesia - effusions - endocardial lesions - etc. 3. Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms. 4. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex - but standardized procedures. GS-08: To meet the requirements for the GS-7 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess at least 1 year of specialized experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and colorflow Doppler imaging. 2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. 3. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc. 4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography. 5. Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls - and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certifications upon hire References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08
• Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand walk - bend and reach
• Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Ability to performs 2D - M-Mode - continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam
• Performs transthoracic examinations
• Performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals
• Assists physician of results of exam
• Receives patients - explains procedure and performs exam
• Assist Cardiology Fellows in performing and interpreting echo exams
• Independently setting - calibrating and operating of machinery
• Knowledge of normal echocardiography findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
• Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic echocardiography - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive) - stress echocardiography - and transesophogeal echocardiography
• Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls - and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning and prepping the patient for procedure
• Ability to follow policy for sterilization process for TEE probes
• Ability to complete diagnostic studies ordered by and in collaboration with physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision
• coordinates appointments/ workload according to appropriateness of patients/ staffing
• Ability to accept verbal orders and record entries into the patient's medical record for the procedure performed
• The complying of data - revising reports and completing reports for physician review
• Ability to manage Echocardiography images in Xcelera and copy to CD
• Triages inpatient procedure request on a daily basis
• Assist with Holter and Event monitoring placement and management at Huntsville locations
• Complete encounters on all Echos performed using the correct CPT codes - diagnosis - service connection status and other fields as required and assists management in overall encounter practices in Echo laboratory
• Performs quality assurance reviews on Echo equipment and processes Precepts new staff and cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiology image skills Performs Dys-synchrony evaluations and assists in the timing delays for Bi-ventricular pacing
• Visualization of all cardiac chambers - valves - and vessels - with appropriate structural and blood flow measurement - should be provided using a standardized protocol
• In addition - the cardiac sonographer must have several important communications and basic safety-related skills
• The operator must be able to properly display cardiac and/or vascular structures and blood flow in each of the imaging views
• Echocardiography technologist must demonstrate proficiency in the performance of two-dimensional - M-mode - and Doppler(pulsed wave - continuous wave and color flow) echocardiographic diagnostic procedures
• In cooperation with management and the Cardiologists - analyzes and prioritizes equipment needs for the Echocardiographic Laboratory
• Serves as a consultant to the other health care professionals related to Echo procedures
• Assist billing and coding with interpretation of exams and follow up on outstanding billing and coding issues
• Performs digital image management and acts as a Super User for imaging storage system
• Performs transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the pathology to be evaluated
• Work Schedule: 6:00am -6:30pm - Rotating tours - days off - weekends - and holidays to meet the needs of patient care services
• Functional Statement #: